The three defendants, Lee Grace, Ryan and Dylan Dougherty plead not guilty to charges of bank robbery in federal court in Albany. The three also plead not guilty to discharging, using, or carrying a firearm in the crime of violence. No bond was set. The judge issued an order of detention pending trial for all three.

U.S. Marshals are currently holding the Dougherty's at an undisclosed location. Federal Court clerks say no date has been set for the trial at this time, but they did say it will be held in Valdosta.

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Albany, Georgia - May 15, 2012 - Noon -

It was a crime spree likened to that of Bonnie and Clyde, as a trio of siblings swept from the south to the midwest - making headlines along the way. Today - the three Dougherty siblings are in court to face charges.

Eyewitness News Reporter Eames Yates is in Albany, Georgia where the three are expected to enter a plea.

It's the first day of the trial for the Dougherty Gang. They're facing a judge today in federal court. Lee Grace, Ryan and Dylan Dougherty are charged with bank robbery and discharging and using a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence.

However, authorities say their crime spree started in Zephyrhills, Florida. That's where authorities say the Dougherty's shot at a police officer. They headed north to Valdosta where they robbed the Certus Bank and stole more than $5,000 using automatic weapons. They continued West, ending up in Colorado where they led officers on a car chase and ultimate shootout with police - where Lee Dougherty was shot by an officer in Colorado.

Today, they are expected to enter a formal plea to the charges stemming from the bank robbery. The three were already convicted and sentenced in Colorado for their actions there.

Walsenburg, CO (AP) - Three Florida siblings accused in a multistate crime spree that involved a daring bank robbery in Georgia were given prison time Monday on charges in Colorado, where they were captured after a nationwide manhunt.

Ryan Dougherty was given 18 years, Lee Grace Dougherty received 24 years and Dylan Stanley-Dougherty got 32 years - the maximum he faced- at separate hearings. Prosecutors say Stanley-Dougherty was the one who fired at officers pursuing the siblings before their Aug. 10 capture.

The hearings effectively end the siblings' stay in Colorado as Georgia authorities await their extradition.

The three were the focus of a cross-country search last year after authorities say they fired at a police officer in Florida and robbed a Georgia bank. The search ended with a police chase in Colorado, where authorities say Stanley-Dougherty fired at officers before the siblings' car rolled and crashed into a guard rail.

Lee Grace Dougherty, 29, had faced up to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree assault and two counts of menacing in the Colorado case. In court Monday, the judge told her that as the oldest of the three siblings, she should have shown better judgment.

"I'd like to say it was a lapse in judgment, but 10 days is not a lapse in judgment," Lee Grace Dougherty said. "It was bad, poor judgment."

All three are expected to soon be transported to Albany, Ga., where they face a May 15 court hearing.

In the robbery case, witnesses say two men and a woman, dressed in black and wearing masks, entered a Valdosta, Ga., bank Aug. 2 and fired shots into the ceiling. One carried an assault rifle and an automatic pistol, similar to weapons recovered after the siblings' capture.

The trio made off with about $5,200 and had spent about $1,000 of it by the time police caught up with them in Colorado, authorities said.

The three also are charged with firing shots at a police officer in Zephyrhills, Fla., some 210 miles south of Valdosta, during a high-speed chase earlier on Aug. 2.

In Florida, the siblings are charged with fleeing or eluding and attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer. Convictions could mean life sentences, according to court officials. Ryan Dougherty also is charged with grand theft auto.

Florida authorities said the three had been living together in Lacoochee, Fla., about 45 miles northeast of Tampa, and each had a criminal record.

Before the alleged crime spree, Ryan Dougherty was sentenced to register as a sex offender for sending sexually explicit text messages to an 11-year-old girl. His mother, Barbara Bell of East Palatka, Fla., said her son feared the conviction would prohibit him from seeing his newborn son.

Lee Grace Dougherty said in court that her actions were prompted by her desire to protect Ryan.

"My motivation in all of this is I could not lose another sibling," she said, referring to a sister who died of an illness. "He's not only my brother. He is my best friend."

Dylan Stanley-Dougherty's lawyer, Kobea Becker, also portrayed his client as a loyal family member who was desperate to help his younger brother.

But Judge Claude Appel didn't buy the explanation.

"You're saving your brother from a probation sentence, for crying out loud, not a prison sentence," he said of the siblings' efforts to prevent Ryan from having to register.

Later, Appel told Ryan that the plan they tried to pull off only works in the movies.

"In reality, this is how the movie ends, serving very lengthy sentences," the judge said.

Bruce Bartlett, chief assistant state attorney for Florida's 6th Judicial District, said authorities there also are seeking extradition.

"We'll be seeking sentences that ensure they spend most of their life in prison, if not all of it, so if and when they were to get out of prison they would no longer pose a threat to everyone," Bartlett said in a phone interview.

Ryan Dougherty told authorities in Colorado that the three hoped to escape to Mexico.

Lee Grace Dougherty was shot in the knee when she pointed a gun at a police officer after the siblings rolled their car on Interstate 25 in Colorado.

Prosecutors say Dylan Stanley-Dougherty was the one who fired an assault rifle at pursuing officers before the siblings' capture in Colorado, and was also the one who fired at a police officer in Florida and a bank robbery in Georgia. During the hearing, he told the judge he was sorry and didn't want to hurt anyone.

"It is true that I acted out of desperation, and I am sorry for choices that I made," he said.

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1 of 3 Siblings Gets 32 Years for Colo. Shootout

WALSENBURG, Colo. (AP) - April 30, 2012 -

One of three Florida siblings wanted in a multi-state crime spree has been sentenced to 32 years in Colorado.

Dylan Stanley-Dougherty received the maximum prison sentence Monday for his guilty plea to one charge of first-degree assault.

His brother and sister also are set to be sentenced later Monday.

All three are accused of shooting at a police officer and staging a daring bank robbery before being captured in Colorado after a shootout.

After sentencing, they're expected to be transferred from state to federal custody within days, if not hours.

The U.S. Marshals Service will transport them to Albany, Ga., for a court hearing on May 15.

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(CBS/AP) DENVER -

Three Florida siblings accused of shooting at a police officer and staging a bank robbery in a multistate crime spree are facing sentencing Monday on charges stemming from their shootout and capture in Colorado.

Once 3rd Judicial District Judge Claude Appel hands down their sentences, the U.S. Marshals Service will transport them to Albany, Ga., for a court hearing on May 15, making it likely they'll be transferred from state to federal custody within days, if not hours of sentencing.

Dylan Stanley-Dougherty pleaded guilty to one charge of first-degree assault and faces up to 32 years in prison. Ryan Dougherty pleaded guilty to five counts of menacing and faces up to 20 years in prison.

Their sister, 29-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and two counts of menacing. She faces a maximum of 28 years in prison.

In Georgia, the siblings face bank robbery and firearms charges in connection with a bank robbery in Valdosta on Aug. 2. Witnesses say that two men and a woman, dressed in black and wearing masks, entered the Certus Bank branch just over the Florida state line and fired shots into the ceiling. One carried an AK-47 type assault rifle and an automatic pistol, similar to weapons recovered after the siblings' capture in Colorado.

The widely publicized cross-country manhunt for the Doughertys ended Aug. 10 in Huerfano, Colo., after a chase on Interstate 25.

The Doughertys allegedly fired an AK-47 at pursuing officers before running over spike strips, blowing a tire, rolling their vehicle and crashing into a guardrail.

The trio made off with about $5,200 and had spent about $1,000 of it by the time police caught up with them in Colorado, authorities said.

Ryan Dougherty told authorities in Colorado that the trio hoped to escape to Mexico. The siblings told investigators they traveled across the country in a stolen car, taking back roads to avoid detection.

Lee Dougherty was shot in the knee when she pointed a gun at a police officer after the trio rolled their car . "I deserved to get shot," she told investigators.

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UPDATE 4-25-2012

Fugitive Siblings Due in Georgia by May 15

Denver, CO (AP) - Three fugitive siblings who were captured in Colorado after a nationwide search, high-speed chase and shootout have been ordered returned to Georgia to face federal bank robbery charges.

Twenty-nine-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty, 27-year-old Dylan Stanley-Dougherty, and 22-year-old Ryan Dougherty have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Albany, Ga., on May 15. U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Q. Longstaff issued the order on Friday.

All three were indicted on bank robbery and firearm charges stemming from an Aug. 2 bank robbery in Valdosta, Georgia.

All three remain in Colorado jails.

They have pleaded guilty to Colorado charges stemming from the Aug. 10 capture and will be sentenced Monday. The trio also faces charges in Florida for allegedly shooting at an officer during a high-speed chase in Zephyrhills, Florida.

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UPDATE 1-27-2012

APNewsBreak: Dougherty Sibling Planned Escape

Denver, CO (AP) - Authorities say one of three siblings who were part of a crime spree and nationwide manhunt planned to escape from a Colorado jail.

They say Dylan Stanley Dougherty (DAHK'-er-tee) got out of his cell through a plumbing access panel and got a note to his sister telling her he was going to break her out of jail.

He faces charges of conspiracy to escape and possession of contraband for the alleged escape plan discovered during Jan. 10 search.

According to an arrest affidavit, deputies found a homemade knife and letter to the FBI in his cell. A deputy who followed the plumbing into the ceiling found footprints, as a well as a note to Lee Grace Dougherty saying he planned to subdue guards, steal their keys, and escape with her.

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UPDATE 1-10-2012

Judge: Claims in Other States OK at Fugitive Trial

Wlasenburg, CO (AP) - A Colorado judge has ruled that allegations from other states can be used in a case against a woman accused in a crime spree.

Lee Grace Dougherty has pleaded not guilty to attempted second-degree murder, assault and other charges related to a high-speed chase and what authorities say was a shootout before her capture Aug. 10.

Her trial is set for Feb. 21. Her two brothers are also facing charges.

During a hearing Monday, the judge ruled that all events leading up to the woman's arrest can be introduced at trial, including crimes she is accused of committing with her brothers in Florida and Georgia.

The trio is accused of shooting at a police officer in Florida and robbing a bank in Georgia.

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that on December 15, 2011, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Dylan Dougherty Stanley, age 26, a resident of Zephyrhills, Florida, Lee Grace Dougherty, age 29, a resident of Merritt Island, Florida, and Ryan Edward Dougherty, age 22, a resident of Zephyrhills, Florida. The indictment charges all three with Bank Robbery, Discharging, Using and Carrying a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence and also charges Ryan Edward Dougherty with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The indictment arises from the armed bank robbery of the CertusBank branch on Norman Drive in Valdosta, Georgia, on August 2, 2011. The three are alleged to have robbed the bank of $5168.00, while assaulting and jeopardizing the lives of the individuals in the bank by discharging, using, and carrying firearms which included an AK-47 type rifle pistol, a machine pistol, and a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun. The .45 caliber Mauser handgun was carried by Ryan Edward Dougherty who has a previous felony conviction in Florida. The AK-47 type pistol rifle and the machine pistol were discharged inside the bank during the robbery. The defendants were captured in Colorado on August 10, 2011, following a well-publicized national manhunt that ended with the crash of their vehicle and after shots were fired at Colorado law enforcement officers. The three are currently in custody in Colorado and are facing numerous charges in Huerfano County, Colorado. The three also potentially face charges in Pasco County, Florida, where they are believed to have fired shots at a law enforcement officer in Zephyrhills who was attempting to stop the vehicle for speeding on the same morning as the bank robbery.

The bank robbery, a violation of Title18 United States Code, Section 2113, carries a maximum sentence of twenty-five (25) years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000.00 plus up to five (5) years of supervised release. The firearm offense for discharging, using and carrying during the commission of a crime of violence in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A) carries a mandatory minimum, consecutive sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000.00 fine, plus up to five (5) years of supervised release. Ryan Edward Dougherty also faces up to ten (10) years imprisonment, an additional $250,000 fine, and up to three (3) years of supervised release for possession of a firearm in violation of Title18 United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

An indictment is only an accusation, and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers of the Valdosta, Georgia Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert McCullers.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2602.

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UPDATE 10-31-2011

1 of 3 Fugitive Siblings Pleads Not Guilty in Colorado

Walsenburg, CO (AP) - One of three fugitive siblings accused in a series of crimes across multiple states has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from their eventual capture in Colorado.

Twenty-nine-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty (DAHK'-ur-tee) enteredher plea Monday in Walsenburg. She and her two brothers werecaptured Aug. 10 after a chase and what authorities say was ashootout.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports that she is scheduled to go ontrial Feb. 21.

The siblings from Florida face five counts each of attemptedsecond-degree murder and first-degree assault, as well as otherfelony charges related to the chase.

Twenty-six-year-old Dylan Stanley-Dougherty and 21-year-old RyanEdward Dougherty are scheduled to appear before a judge on Nov. 28.

Dyer says Dougherty came up with the idea the day he wassentenced to register as a sex offender.

The new details in the case emerged during a hearing in southernColorado where the trio was captured last month after a widelypublicized manhunt.

The siblings are accused of robbing a bank in Georgia andshooting at police officers in Florida and Colorado.

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UPDATE 9-20-2011

FBI Says Fugitive Siblings Prepared for Gun Fight

Walsenburg, CO (AP) - Authorities say a sister and twobrothers accused in a cross-country crime spree that began inFlorida fired at pursuing officers and were prepared for a gunbattle.

But one lawyer for the siblings questioned that scenario,pointing out that no shots were reported when officers were closeto the trio.

The testimony came during a hearing in state district court todetermine whether 29-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty and her brothers, 26-year-old Dylan Stanley-Dougherty and 21-year-old Ryan Edward Dougherty, should stand trial.

Each sibling is charged with five counts of attemptedsecond-degree murder and five counts of first-degree assault.

The siblings are accused of robbing a bank in Georgia andshooting at police officers in Florida and Colorado.

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UPDATE 8-22-2011

Siblings Accused in Crime Spree Charged in Colorado

Walsenburg, CO (AP) - Prosecutors in Colorado have filed charges against each of the three siblings accused in a cross-country crime spree that began in Florida.

Each defendant is being held on a bond of $1.25 million.Prosecutors charged Ryan and Dylan Dougherty with 24 and 23offenses, respectively, with the most serious charges beingattempted murder and first-degree assault.

Lee Grace Dougherty is charged with 29 counts. Authorities shother in the leg after a car chase Aug. 10.

Authorities previously said the trio robbed a bank in Georgiaand shot at police officers in Florida and Colorado.

Three siblings arrested following a cross-country manhunt will make their first court appearance Thursday after being captured in Colorado.

Twenty-one-year-old Ryan Edward Dougherty, 26-year-old DylanDougherty Stanley and 29-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty are scheduled to have a court hearing in Pueblo, Colo. Authorities say they will appear by video from the jail, and won't be transported to thecourtroom.

In Colorado, they face charges of first-degree assault after ahighway chase in which they're accused of shooting at authorities.They also face charges in Georgia and Florida.

The mother of the three siblings says she is devastated by the arrestof her children.

Barbara Bell of East Palatka, Fla., told The Associated Press onThursday that "throughout all of this, I think everybody justwanted it to stop."

Bell declined to discuss their ordeal in-depth, saying she didn't think it would help her children in the long run.

The manhunt for the siblings began Aug. 2. The three aresuspected of firing at least 20 shots at a Florida officer whotried to pull them over for speeding in a chase at speeds up to 100mph.

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[UPDATE] 8-10 2:15pm -

Colorado State Patrol Release:

On 08/10/11 approximately 9:02 a.m., Colorado State Troopers received a tip from a citizen that the three sibling fugitives from Florida were in the area of Colorado City. After a short pursuit all three fugitives were apprehended.

The vehicle was spotted at a camp ground on Hwy 165 near Colorado City. When the Deputies arrived the vehicle had left the camp ground. A Pueblo County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the vehicle at a gas station near exit 74 on I25. The Colorado State Patrol attempted to initiate a traffic stop at this location. The suspect vehicle failed to yield to law enforcement and a pursuit ensued. Preliminary investigation determined that shots were fired from the suspect’s vehicle at troopers during the pursuit. The vehicle crashed shortly after Colorado State Troopers deployed stop sticks on southbound I25 at mile marker 52, near Walsenburg. Two suspects, one male and one female were apprehended by Huerfano County Sheriff’s Deputies and Walsenburg Police Department Officers shortly after the crash. The third male suspect fled on foot and was apprehended by CSP a short time later in Walsenburg.

The three in custody have been identified as:

Lee Grace Dougherty 5/29/82

Dylan Dougherty 02/26/85

Ryan Dougherty 08/21/89

No officers were injured during this incident.

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[UPDATE] 8-10 1pm - DENVER (AP) --

The FBI is confirming that two men and a woman wanted for crimes in Florida and Georgia have been captured.

FBI Special Agent Steve Emmett said Wednesday that the threeDougherty siblings are in custody in Colorado.

"I would prefer to see her living than not living, but its very difficult for me to imagine the three of them wanting to live the rest of their life in a cage...I was fully expecting to see her again, but now I'm not."

Bookman says he met Lee Grace roughly four years ago as her college math teacher.

She worked as a dancer at Cheaters Strip Club.

They started dating and had talked about their future.

He says he never thought the siblings could shoot at police or later be accused of robbing a bank in Georgia.

"I couldn't see her taking a MAC-10 or something into a bank and robbing it or shooting at a police officer, no."

From his home in Merritt Island, Bookman says he has not spoken to any of the siblings since Monday; one day before their alleged violent crime-spree.

He does not expect they will turn themselves in peacefully. "I can't see them wanting to do the rest of their life in prison."

[UPDATE] 8-8 3pm - ATLANTA (AP) --

Investigators say they received a tip that three Florida siblings accused of firing shots at a Florida police car and then robbing a bank in south Georgia may have traveled to Tennessee.

On 08/04/2011, the United States Magistrate, Middle District of Georgia, Macon, Georgia, issued warrants for the arrest of Ryan Edward Dougherty, Stanley Dylan Dougherty and Grace Lee E. Dougherty for the crime of armed bank robbery, a violation of Title 18, Section 2113 (a) and (d).

These subjects should be considered armed and dangerous.

These individuals were last seen operating a white, 4 door, 2006 Subaru Impreza, bearing New York license tag “FBE 5900”.

On August 2, 2011 at approximately 12:24 p.m., the Valdosta Police Department along with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the Remerton Police Department, responded to an armed robbery at Certus Bank, 460 Norman Drive. Officers arrived on scene and were advised that three individuals, dressed in black with masks, entered the bank through the front entrance. The suspects are believed to be 2 white males and 1 white female. As the robbers entered the bank, shots were fired towards the ceiling and everyone in the bank was instructed to get down. At least two of the robbers brandished weapons, one described as being an AK-47 type assault rifle and the other appearing to be a machine pistol, while other robber obtained an undisclosed amount of money. All three robbers then departed the bank and were observed departing in an older model white, 4 door sedan. Detectives from the Valdosta Police Department, Crime Scene Technicians from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Crime Laboratory, and the FBI responded to the scene to investigate.

It should be noted that these individuals are also suspects in the attempted murder of a Zephyrhills, Florida police officer earlier that same day. On August 2, 2011, at 7:00 a.m., a patrol officer for that department was in pursuit of a four door white vehicle. The suspects in the vehicle began to shoot at the patrol officer and subsequently disabled the patrol vehicle. Multiple calibers were used in that shooting. The suspect vehicle was described as being a 2006 white Subaru Impreza, New York license plate FBE5900.

Anyone having any further information regarding this matter should contact the FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000 or the Valdosta Police Department at 229-293-3145 or can remain anonymous by calling tel. 229-293-3091.

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[UPDATE] Valdosta, Georgia - August 3, 2011

WCTV has attached surveillance pictures of the white, four-door car officers believe two men and a woman took off in after robbing Certus Bank on Norman Drive on Tuesday.

Officers say the car has license plates of varying colors.

Please take a look at the photos. And if you have any information about this crime, call the Crime Tip Line at 229-293-3091.

Bank robbers strike in broad daylight and fire several shots before running out the door.

"I just think it was bold to come out and do such a thing in broad daylight," says Jim Sloop, of Atlanta.

Around noon on Tuesday, three armed robbers fired shots into the ceiling of Certus Bank in Valdosta.

Dressed in black and wearing masks to conceal their identities, they told everyone to get down.

"One of the offenders jumped over the teller line, or the teller counter, and was able to retrieve an undisclosed amount of cash," says Capt. Bobbi McGraw, with the Valdosta Police Department. "All three of the offenders left out the front door."

Police say two white men and a woman took off in a white, four door car heading southbound on Norman Drive.

Passer-by Carson Rhodenizer, of Live Oak, says, "You would think that somebody could have spotted it before it actually happened. You know, it would kind of stand out."

No one was hurt by the gunfire. Police are following leads and carefully examining surveillance video but they need your help.

Valdosta Police encourage anyone with information about this crime to call the Crime Tip Line at 229-293-3091

On August 2, 2011 at approximately 1224 hours, the Valdosta Police Department along with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the Remerton Police Department, responded to an armed robbery at Certus Bank, 460 Norman Drive. Officers arrived on scene and were advised that three armed offenders, dressed in black with masks, entered the bank through the front entrance. The suspects are believed to be 2 white males and 1 white female. As the offenders entered the bank, shots were fired towards the ceiling and everyone in the bank was told to get down. One of the offenders collected an undisclosed amount of money and they all left the bank. Through witness accounts it is believed that the offenders left in an older model white, 4 door sedan, with a license plate that had gold or yellow on it. It is unknown what type of license plate it was. Detectives from the Valdosta Police Department, Crime Scene Technicians from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Crime Laboratory, and the FBI responded to the scene to investigate. The Valdosta Police Department requests that anyone who was in that area during the time of the robbery and may have seen something, to contact the police department at the numbers below.

Anyone having any further information regarding this crime or any other crime is urged to contact the Valdosta Police Department at 229-293-3145 or can remain anonymous at 229-293-3091.

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Valdosta, Georgia - August 2, 2011 - 1:15pm -

The Valdosta Police Department received a call about a bank robbery taking place at Certus Bank around 12:15pm on August 2. Witnesses say they saw three suspects, all dressed in black and all armed. VPD believes that there are 2 male suspects and 1 female suspect. When the suspects entered the bank, they fired shots into the air. The suspects left the bank and escaped in a vehicle, but police are unclear about the type of vehicle because of conflicting reports.

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